S. 2179: Canyon’s Law

This bill, known as Canyon’s Law, aims to prohibit the use of M–44 devices, which are also referred to as "cyanide bombs," on public land. The main provisions of the bill are as follows:

Background and Findings

The bill outlines several findings regarding M–44 devices, which utilize sodium cyanide, a highly toxic pesticide. These devices are primarily used to eliminate coyotes, foxes, and wild dogs that are suspected of preying on livestock and poultry. The following points highlight the risks associated with M–44 devices:

• Toxicity: Sodium cyanide is classified as a Category One acute toxicant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indicating it poses serious risks to both human health and the environment.
• Health Effects: Exposure to sodium cyanide can result in severe health issues including central nervous system depression, cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, paralysis, and even blindness.
• Accidental Exposures: There have been multiple incidents where children and pets have been accidentally poisoned by M–44 devices, leading to injuries and fatalities.
• Wildlife Risks: The use of M–44 devices not only targets the intended animals but also poses a risk to non-target wildlife, including endangered species. Thousands of non-target animals have been reported harmed or killed.

Prohibitions on Use

The law would make it illegal to prepare, place, install, set, deploy, or use M–44 devices on public land. Public land is defined as any federal land managed by public agencies, including:

• The National Park Service
• The United States Fish and Wildlife Service
• The Bureau of Land Management
• The Bureau of Reclamation
• The Forest Service

Removal of Existing Devices

The bill mandates that any federal, state, or county agency that has M–44 devices on public land must remove them within 30 days of the bill's enactment. This provision aims to ensure that no such devices remain on public lands following the prohibition.

Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions to clarify certain terms:

• M–44 Device: A device designed to release sodium cyanide when triggered by animals. It may also be known as an M–44 ejector or predator control device.
• Public Land: Any federal land under the jurisdiction of a public land management agency.
• Public Land Management Agency: Refers to federal agencies tasked with managing public land as listed above.

Additional Information

The findings section of the bill details statistical data on the use and impacts of M–44 devices, emphasizing both human health risks and environmental consequences. The bill has been introduced to reduce these dangers by eliminating the use of such devices on public lands.

Relevant Companies

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